ChargePoint Home Flex Charger

[Maquis]

Wow, that's awful. MyJuicebox app let's me select between 8 and 48amps in about 2 seconds.

As limited as FordPass is, I can even do that with the Ford Connected Charge Station!

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[Mach-Lee]

Wow, that's awful. MyJuicebox app let's me select between 8 and 48amps in about 2 seconds.

I think it’s because the NEC requires that the charging amperage on EVSEs is not easily modified by the consumer. Being able to change the breaker size anytime in the app does not meet the requirements. I think they stipulate you have to have physical access to the EVSE to change it.

ChargePoint could implement a second charge limit that is user selectable as long as it is always equal or less than the maximum amperage set based on the breaker size. This is implemented on the FCCS and probably the JuiceBox as well.

 

[sgriffin130]

Did you see my post above? If you call them, they will tell you and they can adjust it for you over the internet if you don’t like the number they tell you.

Ark, sorry I didn’t see your post. I thought when I set it up I had that capability.So that explains it. I think I’m on 48, so perhaps I won’t change. No real need at this point, just curious. Do you think they will bring it back anytime soon?

 

[Carlos J. Marrero]

Does a hardwired(60 amp breaker) ChargePoint HomeFlex EVSE just automatically default to charge at the highest amperage (48) for the Mach E?

Yes

 

[ChuckA]

I have activated it so I know it is more than 16 which is the default if it’s not been activated. I had it installed 7 months ago and don’t remember what I set it at. I am hardwired with a 60 amp breaker. I just assumed that the rate(amperage) setting would show up somewhere. I must be at 32, I guess, since I got 50 miles added during the last 2hours of my current charging routine.

On my JuiceBox 32, I get 24 miles per hour. Sounds like you are at 32A.

 

[sgriffin130]

On my JuiceBox 32, I get 24 miles per hour. Sounds like you are at 32A.

I got 35-40 miles per hour depending on which app(Ford Pass or ChargePoint)So it must be set on 48.

 

[BMT1071]

Mine shows 11.18 kw

11,800W/240V=46.58A. To paraphrase Scotty from Star Trek, she's givin her all she's got, cap'n.

 

[sgriffin130]

11,800W/240V=46.58A. To paraphrase Scotty from Star Trek, she's givin her all she's got, cap'n.

That’s the way I figured it too. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[Maquis]

I think it’s because the NEC requires that the charging amperage on EVSEs is not easily modified by the consumer. Being able to change the breaker size anytime in the app does not meet the requirements. I think they stipulate you have to have physical access to the EVSE to change it.

ChargePoint could implement a second charge limit that is user selectable as long as it is always equal or less than the maximum amperage set based on the breaker size. This is implemented on the FCCS and probably the JuiceBox as well.

I don’t think that applies in this case. If the charge current is easily user-adjustable, it simply means that the branch circuit must be sized for the max.
If Chargepoint removed the ability for easy user control from the app just to allow installation on a lesser branch circuit, that would be silly.

 

[Mach-Lee]

If Chargepoint removed the ability for easy user control from the app just to allow installation on a lesser branch circuit, that would be silly.

That is exactly what they had to do to comply with current NEC. Otherwise they could only be installed hardwired on a 70A breaker since the device is rated for 50A continuous.

Here's an excerpt from the 2020 NEC (625.42) with the requirements:

Adjustable settings shall be permitted on fixed-in-place equipment only. If adjustments have an impact on the rating label, those changes shall be in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, and the adjusted rating shall appear with sufficient durability to withstand the environment involved on the rating label. Electric vehicle supply equipment with restricted access to an ampere adjusting means shall be permitted to have ampere ratings that are equal to the adjusted current setting. Sizing the service and feeder to match the adjusting means shall be permitted. Restricted access shall prevent the user from gaining access to the adjusting means. Restricted access shall be accomplished by at least one of the following:

(1) A cover or door that requires the use of a tool to open

(2) Locked doors accessible only to qualified personnel

(3) Password protected commissioning software accessible only to qualified personnel

So they had to remove the setting so Joe Homeowner can't easily change the amperage above the branch circuit rating by accident after it's installed. Being a major commercial EVSE supplier, ChargePoint wants all their products to fully comply with NEC so there aren't any installation or inspection issues in strict jurisdictions. I'm sure there were cases where the Home Flex failed inspection when it was discovered the homeowner could adjust the amps above the circuit rating themselves in the app.

Personally, I think the place for the adjustment of charging amps should be in the car, not the EVSE. I'm disappointed Ford didn't implement an adjustment option in the vehicle like Tesla.

 

[sgriffin130]

Makes sense.

 

[RickMachE]

That is exactly what they had to do to comply with current NEC. Otherwise they could only be installed hardwired on a 70A breaker since the device is rated for 50A continuous.

Here's an excerpt from the 2020 NEC (625.42) with the requirements:



So they had to remove the setting so Joe Homeowner can't easily change the amperage above the branch circuit rating by accident after it's installed. Being a major commercial EVSE supplier, ChargePoint wants all their products to fully comply with NEC so there aren't any installation or inspection issues in strict jurisdictions. I'm sure there were cases where the Home Flex failed inspection when it was discovered the homeowner could adjust the amps above the circuit rating themselves in the app.

Personally, I think the place for the adjustment of charging amps should be in the car, not the EVSE. I'm disappointed Ford didn't implement an adjustment option in the vehicle like Tesla.

All they had to do was make it impossible to change the number above the limit.

If I set my JB at 60amps and save it, it changes to the max value, 48amps.

Edit - if I change it via the website, it says "max value for this field 48".

I could have coded this in high school.

 

[sgriffin130]

All they had to do was make it impossible to change the number above the limit.

If I set my JB at 60amps and save it, it changes to the max value, 48amps.

I’ve been reading forum threads for 9 months and have learned a lot. I read the EVSE threads before purchasing my ChargePoint and realize it has changed. But having said that with a hardwired setup on a 60amp breaker is there really a compelling reason to not charge at 48 amps?

 

[RickMachE]

I’ve been reading forum threads for 9 months and have learned a lot. I read the EVSE threads before purchasing my ChargePoint and realize it has changed. But having said that with a hardwired setup on a 60amp breaker is there really a compelling reason to not charge at 48 amps?

Yes. The faster it charges, the more energy it needs to keep cool. At 48amps, it has to be cooling more than at 32amps. I charge at 32 because our normal usage gets the car recharged in under 2 hours, often under 1 hour. I could slow it down a lot more if needed.

 

[sgriffin130]

Yes. The faster it charges, the more energy it needs to keep cool. At 48amps, it has to be cooling more than at 32amps. I charge at 32 because our normal usage gets the car recharged in under 2 hours, often under 1 hour. I could slow it down a lot more if needed.

Thanks. So, it is an energy consumption issue rather than a battery longevity or safety issue? My utility rate is .09/kw

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